9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – August 12, 2017

Push for law to ensure transparency rules:  Context The government could consider introducing a new law to ensure transparency of rules, the Economic Survey has recommended. The recommendation The problem is that it is not easy for ordinary citizens [and businesses] in India to navigate the multitude of rules, regulations, forms, taxes and procedures imposed… Continue reading Push for law to ensure transparency rules: 

Slow injustice:  Context Speedy trials alone can undo the sense of injustice caused by acquittal after years in jail The slow and unfair justice system of India The wholesale acquittal of all 10 persons arrested in connection with a blast at the Police Task Force office at Begumpet in Hyderabad in 2005 must occasion serious… Continue reading Slow injustice: 

Law itself allows cattle slaughter, SC tells govt Context If slaughtering cattle for food or religious sacrifice is allowed under the Prevention of Cruelty Act, why did the government ban the sale of cattle for these purposes in the new livestock market rules, the Supreme Court asks. The Bench questions A Bench of Chief Justice… Continue reading Law itself allows cattle slaughter, SC tells govt

In South Asia, be the Un-China:  India needs to rekindle the SAARC process in order to secure historical affinity with its neighbours. Context: India needs to rekindle the SAARC process in order to secure historical affinity with its neighbours. Explanation: As the stand-off between the Indian and Chinese militaries enters its third month at Doklam,… Continue reading In South Asia, be the Un-China: 

More troops on China border:  Context India has deployed more troops along the entire 1,400 km of the border with China in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh in the face of sensitive speechmaking by Beijing over the Doklam standoff. Rising Caution level The “caution level” among the troops has been raised. The officials declined to give… Continue reading More troops on China border: 

Risks to growth:  Context: Five months after the Economic Survey 2016-17 was released, Chief Economic Adviser (CEA) Arvind Subramanian has presented the second volume of the annual economic review-cum-prognosticatory report. There was a clear need to update and refresh outcomes and forecasts due to recent policy developments, including the momentous roll-out of the Goods and… Continue reading Risks to growth: 

No level playing field:  Context: The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 has enough loopholes to close down businesses instead of assisting entrepreneurs. Objectives of the code: 1.The Code aims to mend laws relating to reorganisation and insolvency resolution of corporate persons, partnership firms, and individuals. 2.It attempts to ease the process of recovery of money… Continue reading No level playing field: 

System lighter by ₹3.5 lakh crore of cash: Survey:  Context: Demonetisation has reduced Rs 3.5 lakh crore of cash from the amounts available in the system before, and digitization has increased across the board, even among the poor, according to second volume of the Economic Survey Introduction: The second volume of Economic Survey, tabled in… Continue reading System lighter by ₹3.5 lakh crore of cash: Survey: 

‘Unstable power, a big barrier in India’:  Context: Japan said unstable power supply was among the biggest investment barriers in India. Introduction: The comment comes ahead of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s India visit next month during which bilateral discussions on cooperation in energy sector would get priority. Japanese Ambassador to India Kenji Hiramatsu, said… Continue reading ‘Unstable power, a big barrier in India’: 

‘Ease norms for airlines to fly abroad’: Context: The economic survey has asked the government to build airline hubs in India which could compete with the hubs in the UAE and South East Asia that were taking away Indian traffic to the US and Europe from domestic carriers. Introduction: The second volume of the Economic… Continue reading ‘Ease norms for airlines to fly abroad’:

Growth likely to be in the lower range, closer to 6.5%:  Context: The Indian economy’s growth in 2017-18 is more likely to be closer to 6.5% than 7.5%, according to Chief Economic Adviser Arvind Subramanian. Introduction: Union finance minister Arun Jaitley tables second volume of the Economic Survey 2016-17 in Lok Sabha The Economic Survey… Continue reading Growth likely to be in the lower range, closer to 6.5%: 

Hubris of science:  It has become an ideology of the powerful. Democratic societies need a plurality of knowledge systems. Context: The recent ‘March for Science’ in Delhi on 9th August, 2017 has caught the criticisms of many. Explanation: Science fights dogmas and practices, it gives us clarity of understanding, and the power to demystify and… Continue reading Hubris of science: